Tuesday, January 26, 2010

I loved my denim skirt Burda 12-2009-122 blogged about here so I decided I needed a second casual denim skirt . I started looking for a pattern but then had a real duh! moment when I realised that I could use the same pattern (which fit well) and alter the pattern to leave the flounce off.So this is my finished product:

Excuse the slightly crumpled skirt, it was photographed after wearing it. I lightened these shots so you can see the top stitching detail...

I used an acid green top stitching thread for a bit of fun (the colour doesn't show up real well in the lightened pics) and altered the pocket design. I also straightened the pocket placement up.I added a walking split as I was concerned it may be too slim to walk in comfortably.

I had a small piece of the same denim left over from the last skirt and just managed to squeeze out the skirt. No front welt pockets again. I don't think I would have had enough fabric!Here are the pattern pieces laid out on the fabric - you can see my altered pieces here...

Cut pieces and very small pile of scraps!

I photographed some of the techniques I use for the top stitching. For the fly front (btw, I followed the technique for the fly from the HP Marrakesh Pants pattern again), I use a piece of freezer paper. I draw the stitching line I want on the paper and cut it out. I press it in place and then stitch around the edge of the paper. Then I simply peel off the paper.

You can use the freezer paper more than once too.

For the pockets, I traced the pocket design onto some tracing paper (this is one designed for quilting).I then pin the tracing paper to the pocket and stitch over the drawn lines.

Then it is a simple matter of pulling away the tracing paper (carefully!). Bent nose tweezers help to get the little bits out.

I am a bit sorry the green thread colour doesn't show up well in these photos so you will have to trust me that it looks cute! I have already worn this skirt quite a few times so I must remember to always keep a couple of casual denim skirts in my wardrobe.

I have just made my first New Look 6429 dress and I love it, so another post soon...

This is a 'vintage' pattern from the Hot Patterns website. I made it in a Japanese cotton bought from Gardams in Indooroopilly (Brisbane). I bought it specifically to make this top and it has a very pretty print which I thought would suit this style.

However I think the cotton is not soft enough for this top. The only alteration I made was to shorten the length by about 1 1/2" - still not sure I should be doing this - I think it is because I am a bit uncomfortable with the loose tunic style tops that are un-tucked and long. I think I need to try the full length and try and get used to it.

I used petersham ribbon for the tie. However, even though I like the tie, I find that it is constricting and I cannot lift my arms over my head. So I am thinking that I need to put some elastic in the casing with just the petersham ribbon ends showing. I think then it may be more forgiving. As it stands, it is not comfortable to wear.Review is here.

However, even though this top is not pressing all my buttons I am not giving up on this pattern. I think I will make the 3/4 sleeve variation in a more suitable fabric.

OK - nice segue...??

I have been playing with dye... yum!

I found (half price) a beautiful white crinkle cotton (bright white - not something I can wear) on sale at our local Gardams. I bought it, thinking I would change the colour. I purchased a packet of dye in a colour called 'Pumpkin' from Unique Stitching (good service - highly recommend this website). As the packet does quite a load (more than the fabric I had bought) I added another cuff I had crocheted from a natural cotton thread ....and also found some bamboo in a buff colour I found I wasn't using because of the nhhh colour...and this is what I got...

The crinkle cotton would be perfect for this pattern (so would the bamboo... hummmm?) so I plan to give it another shot.

Here is the cuff being modelled by me...

Lots of fun! I wore it today with a mostly brown outfit and then had orange toenail polish on - I thought I looked cute!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Finally got a photo of McCall's 5931, which I first showed you in this post. These photos were taken on holiday at the beach ('holiday' = long week-end full of family stuff...). Excuse the hair, it was after a swim. The big black piece of fuzz is not on the top but only on the photos....

The tie looks nothing like the one on the pattern cover. Apart from that I think the only change was to shorten it slightly.

Not too much of a pregnancy belly look????

I seriously enjoyed making this and was considering making a second one, but I made this in November and haven't worn it yet, so I am thinking maybe it is not my style. However for the short time I wore it for this photo I noticed it is very comfortable and cool to wear so I should wear it I think sometime, but I am not sure a second would be any value.

More photos of new outfits coming soon ... we had a big photo shoot week-end!

BTW, I have broken my review drought and have reviewed this top here - the review has more detail on the construction if you are considering making it.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Much sewing, but no photos as yet... hubby is very busy either working or puttering around the house, preparing for our renovation. Hopefully tomorrow.

I have been sewing much. I have had one wadder - I don't usually do this but after cutting and starting to sew, it went in the bin. Normally I finish things before I decide it isn't working for me...lol!

I started Butterick 5352 the Muse dress. However I ordered the pattern in the wrong size. I cut a 14 (based on bust size 36") and then read the pattern to see the finished bust size is 37.5" - in a knit ... hunh? So why did I not buy a size 12 as I have learnt before? I dunno.... Plus the fabric was a cheapie from our local chain fabric store. It was marked as a 'dry knit' (polyester as you would expect). It was so spongy my machine hated it and skipped stitches all the time! So after trying to put the bodice together and sewing it all twice due to the skipped stitches, I tried fitting it and realised it was going too be way too big on my bust. To save heartache I threw it in the bin, without another thought!

My other close-to-wadder is another version of the HP Marakesh pants. This time in another cheap polyester from said chain store. This stuff does not press - yeech! The first pair in linen-cotton fit beautifully - these, are so different and seem to be too tight! I think it is because there is no give in the fabric. Or otherwise I made some mistake cutting or sewing... anyway not totally unwearable but I have not get the enthusiasm to hem them!

Anyway I have other sewing which has worked beautifully including the Jalie scarf neck top but no photos as yet! I am also nearly finished a variation of the Burda skirt 12-2009-122. I really wanted another denim skirt as I love this one so much so I squeezed another out of the fabric left - without the flounce - looking forward to finishing that one!So today I will use this post to answer a couple of questions...

I am planning to make a cord skirt soon and I also looked at that zipper tute by Sandra Betzina. But it left me with one question: what does she do with the zipper head which she leaves extending beyond the end of the seam? And what did you do with it? I am mystified! Please fill us in on the secret!Ruth

Ruth - the zipper is just cut off at the top. Just make sure the zipper is open and the head is on the pant , not the part you cut off. Then when you sew the waistband on, that acts as your zipper stop.

I have one question regarding your December Burda issue. I live in Melbourne and subscribe to Burda through the Australian importer (in Sydney, and I am still only up to the October issue!! How did you manage to get your hands on the December issue so soon??Appreciate any tips on this!Thanks,Elizabeth

Elizabeth - order the Burda magazine directly from Burda in Germany. It is much cheaper than isubscribe and you get the current month (not always a bonus as it is the wrong season!) There are threads on patternreview.com that discuss how to do this. I filled in the form, when a letter came from Germany a few months later, I filled out my credit card details and faxed it. Eventually a magazine turned up!

Love your fabrics and will have to visit this shop next time I visit DS.Where did you buy your chain for the Chanel Jacket? This is the last piece I need.

Sharon - sorry I didn't answer this earlier - it is probably too late now (sorry!). But to answer your question, the last lot of chain I bought from the Stitches & Craft Show from a jewellery stand. The first lot I purchased through Felicity of For Frock's Sake. HTH!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

I have sewn a few items before and after the New Year that I haven't got photos of as yet so I will try and catch up with some of them soon.

One of the items I made still from 2009 (hemmed New Year's Day) are the Hot Patterns Wong-Singh-Jones Marrakesh Pants.

They are made from a cotton-linen blend bought from Sckaf's fabrics at Indooroopilly (Brisbane). I wasn't super happy with the linen pants I made earlier as they stretched out so much on wearing so I thought trying a blend would be interesting. I think they hold their shape better and because their is a tie in the waist of these pants they don't feel loose after wearing.

I love these pants - here is a photo showing the pocket - they lie so flat!

Beware - white tummy shot! The fly went in really well - notice I managed to match the stripes in the plaid - very happy about that!

There has been some controversy on the boards over at Pattern Review.com about the crotch draft. However I didn't have big issues with it. It does make me reluctant to do a review, though. I have not had time to do a review for ages and some of the comments made on this board have really left me with a sour taste and I wonder if it is worth bothering.

I didn't get a shot of the back, but believe me they fit really well. I have made a second pair (not hemmed yet) so will try and get the back shot of that one to show you how well they fit.

I love these pants - a lovely relaxed style that has pockets that sit flat and a nice fit. I also quite liked their fly instructions. I did make a 'test' fly first in some muslin to make sure I understood them before trying it in the real thing. That gave me the confidence to follow their instructions.

Anyhoo, I didn't get all the photos I wanted yet of the items I have made, but I thought I would break my blogging drought with these shots I managed to get before I went out the other day wearing my new duds!

PS - what do you think of the plaid in the fabric - I am a bit worried I look like I should be on a golf course but I thought they would read as brown from a distance...